C-Dory Down: Mystery Honda Malfunction

Iconoclast

My 22' with a 1996 Honda 75 has now been in the shop a month. The symptom: it starts, runs less than 30 seconds, and quits. Last week, the shop finally decided, based on advice from "Honda Tech", to order four new carbuerators. (They agreed to order the 90 hp carbs, which would have given me more engine for the same price.) But the new carbs didn't work. Same symptoms. Anyone have any ideas?

flagold · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 8:27 pm Post subject:

Have them take one of the plug wires off -- plug in an meter or just watch it for sparking the next time it is started. If it stops sparking after 30 sec's something is heating up and shutting down the spark.

Fuel -- extremely unlikely all carbs go bad at the same time -- if fuel, there's a blockage ahead of the carbs.

Exhaust -- if the exhaust is plugged in any way, it will shut off after running a short period as well (unlikely, but it does happen).

Good luck, it's frustrating I know . . .

B~C · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:03 pm Post subject:

what Flagold said....cept instead of a meter, I'd use an inductive timing light, it would be real easy to fry a meter with the kind of zap an ignition system puts out

gljjr · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:38 am Post subject:

My first thought is that the fuel pump is bad. When you pump up the bulb and start the motor it runs on what is in the float bowls. Then when they run dry it dies. But the time period would be more like 3 or 4 minutes for that I would think. Once you start it if you keep pumping the bulb does the motor stay running? If so you have a bad fuel pump or a blockage in the fuel line.

As BC said use a timing light rather than a meter. Or one of those inductive screwdrivers held next to the plug wire to check what the spark is doing.

The 90hp carbs would need to be rejetted for your motor unless you changed the Camshaft(s). This is due to them having larger jets for the extra amount of fuel mixture volume sucked in by the engine with the hotter cam(s). My guess is that you would be running way to rich with the 90hp carbs. Knock those blockhead on the side of their head! They should know better!

fiddlersgreen6 · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 10:09 am Post subject:

WHAT! Over a month in the shop during prime time! My advise is to take it to a different, well qualified, certified Honda( MARINE) mechanic immediately! These characters do not have your best interest at heart, it may have been there a month gathering dust, but they probably have only spent a few hours working on it. I can almost guarantee you that they have put a lot of easier tune up jobs in front of you. Basically it is either air, fuel, or ignition. I had about the same experience (3 weeks) and all I got was service talk, until I found another mechanic, who completed the total job in less than 3 hours. -- Rich

New Hampshire Guy · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:33 pm Post subject:

Boy, I wish a few of the Suzuki owners had the patience of this Honda owner. This customer had a smaller problem but I don't see "AVOID HONDA" plastered everywhere. The above remarks/responses are all on target.
As a dealer we recently had a new C-Dory owner with a Suzuki lower unit problem. In the 24 years selling Suzuki we never saw such a problem like this case. For you conspiracy theory buffs, PLEASE don't extrapolate a single engine problem into some kind of quality issue with these engines. So far this is an isolated event.
Anyway, engine obviously on warranty and the new owner on vacation. We offered to get the boat but was slightly faster for the owner to deliver it to us. Total time the owner lost the boat was 22 hours.
Summary. Any engine can have problems. Service is what makes your experience positive or not. Hope you find a mechanic or shop you can return to as mentioned by some experienced BRATS above.
Best of Luck
&
Fair Winds,
John

MOOSE · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 1:39 pm Post subject:

I found the folks that participate in this site to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful in troubleshooting engine problems: www.iboats.com.
Al

Iconoclast · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:35 pm Post subject: Update

Dealer now claims $500 ignition module failed, the first time he has ever seen one fail. Net charges: $888. I still don't have the boat back . . .

starcrafttom · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 8:23 pm Post subject:

I hope it works but when ignition mods stop working they stop. they don't come and go. not on cars anyway. if he replaced the carbs and they were not the problem then thats his money he spent not yours. I would not let him get a way with that.

fiddlersgreen6 · Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:48 pm Post subject:

It is about time for this Honda Mechanic to suggest that maybe you should buy a new engine so that you can get on the water before the season is over, and I bet he has a special on one that will fit your boat and also has a warranty on it. Also beware of storage fees or any lay days they may be charging! Rich-- with over 30 boats under my belt.